Bread Enough and to Spare
- davidwperk
- Mar 31
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Monday, March 31, 2025
The week of the fourth Sunday in Lent
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key verses for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ 10Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, p. 954)
AM Psalm 89:1-18; PM Psalm 89:19-52
Jer. 16:10-21; Rom. 7:1-12; John 6:1-15
Today we celebrate the Feast of John Donne. (See below.)
David's Reflections
The story of the feeding of the 5,000 occurs in all four Gospels, the only one of Jesus' miracles that they all report. In fact, Matthew and Mark record two feedings, probably a repetition of the same miracle story in a second setting. The repetition underlines the importance of this miracle story, calling on the reader to pay close attention to an episode reported six times.
Jesus felt compassion about the physical hunger of the crowd. His feeding the crowd will not allow us to ignore or take lightly the physical well being of others. Jesus cares about those hungering and thirsting in our world, in the places getting media focus and those places isolated and ignored as well. To follow and embody Christ means to care, to pray, to support the efforts to relieve suffering, and to serve the hungry personally.
This miracle also speaks of plenty. God's world is fruitful, producing more than enough for us. Hunger has to do with failed economics, failed compassion, and failed distribution, not a shortage of supply. Twelve baskets of fragments were left over after everyone ate their fill.
The dialogue that follows this miracle in John 6 draws out the obvious symbolic significance of Jesus' actions--Jesus is the living bread, the only satisfaction for our ultimate spiritual hunger. Jesus cares that we crave forgiveness, meaning, purpose, and energy to live. He poured himself out in living and in dying that we might live meaningful and full lives. He was broken for us, and each Sunday he comes to us in bread and wine to forgive, transform, and nurture us, to continue addressing those deep hungers that no other table addresses. The way the Gospel writers shape this story reflects the centrality of the Eucharist and preserves memories of how it was celebrated in the earliest churches.
Henri Nouwen captures this overflowing love of Jesus with these words, ”Jesus is God for us. God with us. God within us. Jesus is God giving himself completely, pouring himself out for us without reserve. Jesus doesn't hold back or cling to his own possessions. He gives all there is to give. 'Eat, drink, this is my blood . . . this is me for you!”*
*Henri J. M. Nouwen, With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1994), p. 67.
Collect of the Day, The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 219)
Today we celebrate the Feast of John Donne, priest, poet, and preacher (died 31 Mar 1631 CE). http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/John_Donne.htm
Collect of the Feast of John Donne
O God of eternal glory, whom no one living can see and yet whom to see is to live; grant that with your servant John Donne, we may see your glory in the face of your Son, Jesus Christ, and then, with all our skill and wit, offer you our crown of prayer and praise, until by his grace we stand in that last and everlasting day, when death itself will die, and all will live in you, who with the Holy Spirit and the same Lord Jesus Christ are one God in everlasting light and glory. Amen.
Collect of Monday in the Fourth Week of Lent
O Lord our God, in your holy Sacraments you have given us a foretaste of the good things of your kingdom: Direct us, we pray, in the way that leads to eternal life, that we may come to appear before you in that place of light where you dwell for ever with your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Weekday Eucharistic Propers, p. 34)
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
Of the Holy Spirit
Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 252)
In the Evening
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. (BCP, 833)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, John 6:1-15
6:1After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ 10Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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